The New Zealand Power Boating 53rd Gold Cup is gearing up to deliver an electrifying weekend of exhilirating racing on January 11th and 12th, 2025. Hosted by the Manawatu Power Boat Club at Whirokino (Foxton, Manawātu), this event is a premier showcase of powerboating talent and technology, drawing competitors and spectators from across New Zealand.
With a storied history spanning over five decades, the Gold Cup Regatta has become a cornerstone of New Zealand’s powerboating calendar, promising a vibrant celebration of speed, skill, and community.
The event welcomes a wide array of powerboat classes. From roaring V8-powered hydroplanes to nimble Clubmans mini boats, the regatta offers something for every enthusiast. Key classes include:
• Formula V – Redhot Marine Series: Highlighting competitive racing with agile, high-speed boats
• Gold Cup Class: Open to any boat capable of qualifying on the challenging long river course, with races limited to three laps
• Sally Nagel Trophy: Reserved for Mod H Hydroplanes and Series 3000 racing runabouts on the short course
• Bob Dunlop Trophy: Featuring the thunderous Unlimited V8 Flatties
• Ross Knight Trophy: Open inboard racing for hydroplanes qualifying on the long course
• Carl Augustin Trophy: A distinctive trophy race for up to 2-litre inboard boats, complete with a pole start on a long track
• Additional classes such as Pro Stock 90, Formula 3 North Island Title, J Class, and Formula 1 cater to a wide range of racing enthusiasts.
This variety ensures an action-packed event, with each class delivering its unique blend of speed and strategy.
The 53rd Gold Cup boasts an impressive lineup of competitors, each bringing their own flair and determination to the water. Notable entries include:
• Scary: Competing in Formula V and Gold Cup
• Iron Maiden: A versatile contender in the Sally Nagel, Ross Knight, Formula 3 North Island Title, and Carl Augustin Trophy classes
• Window Solutions and Anglomoil: Both entering the prestigious Gold Cup and Formula 1 categories
• Blacklisted and Hillbilly: Fierce rivals across multiple classes, including Gold Cup, Bob Dunlop Trophy, and Pro Stock 90
• Clubmans Stars: Boats like Jenny, Infamous, and White Lightning, showcasing agility and skill in this ever-popular category
The diverse fleet of boats ensures fierce competition and thrilling finishes, with teams like “Hells Bells,” “Redemption,” and “Sundance Kid” pushing the limits of performance.
Supported by Levin Cars, the Gold Cup Regatta underscores the strong community ties that powerboating fosters in New Zealand. Whirokino’s reputation as a prime racing location sets the stage for a weekend brimming with excitement. For spectators, the event offers a front-row seat to breathtaking displays of speed and skill. The lively atmosphere, coupled with the camaraderie of the boating community, makes this regatta a standout event for all ages.
